. >>> and the fiscal cliff is getting plenty of attention. head over to cnbc.com for the latest. >>> now, berlusconi and monti are exchanging verbal blows ahead of a caustic election campaign in italy. the controversial businessman and global prime minister has accused the prime minister of pursuing german-centric policies that have pushed italy into recession. monti reiterated the need for italy to continue economic reforms. >> it's interesting, we saw yields trying to edge a bit higher opinion let's recap where we are. kick off with italy. the close yesterday for the ten-year was 4.8. the close to the two-year yesterday on italy, 2.29%. below that at 2.25%. we had a spanish auction today. they raised nearly $379 billion. yields in that auction lower than they were in japan, as well. we closed on the ten-year at 5.54, below that at 5.51%. italy closed at 2.256%. spain on the two-year closed at 3.09%. >>> talks on the cliff seem to be advancing as the top republicans say the gop is ready to negotiate. berlusconi steps up the rhetoric against